1937 AUTO UNION C type - Vanderbilt Cup Race by FPPMODELOS

[89AKurt]

FPPMODELOS 1/24 scale resin kit of the Auto-Union C made by Fernando Pinto Portugal, of the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup Race winner.  WIP:  Auto Union C - Vanderbilt Cup 1937

Bought the book Auto Union V16 Supercharged a technical appraisal hoping there would be good photos or illustrations, but found the best reference on the web, lucky to have downloaded a cutaway before the site disappeared.  The car was ground-breaking in many ways, mid engine, aerodynamics, limited slip differential, use of aluminum, Dr. Ferdinand Porsche designed the car that challenged Mercedes Benz before WW2.  The book described the evolution during the program, Porsche opted for a low reving engine vs. exotic fuels used by Mercedes.  Other than the Hindenburg, this is the only other vehicle with the Swastika that burned up American territory, the race organizers mandated only Audi have it (like it's hard to tell the difference between front engine and mid engine car?).  Bernd Rosemeyer led most of the race and won.  Must have been fun to watch American Indy cars compete with European Grand Prix cars, how cool would a match up today be?

I knew the kit would be a challenge.  The kit is 100% handmade, no 3D printing, no photo-etch (other kits of his have p-e).  Besides fitment issues, I replaced many kit parts with scratch-built units.  It's not my best work, but race cars back then were crude anyway.  It's also surprisingly heavy!  The laced wire (not photo-etched) wheels are outstanding, they come finished, no painting required.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

[Earl Marischal]

Excellent work on an amazing machine. It must have been a right handful to drive!

steve

[Rich Chernosky]

Kurt....you did and absolutely stunning job on this. I followed your WIP and all the effort you put into  this paid off.

[89AKurt]

4 hours ago, Earl Marischal said:

Excellent work on an amazing machine. It must have been a right handful to drive!

steve

Thanks Steve!  No doubt, with skinny bias-ply tires that got shredded after a dozen laps or so.

4 hours ago, Rich Chernosky said:

Kurt....you did and absolutely stunning job on this. I followed your WIP and all the effort you put into  this paid off.

Thank you very much!  Once it came together I was satisfied, it's like watching sausage being made.

[cobraman]

I like that model a lot !

[bbowser]

Outstanding replica of a real piece of racing history!

[slusher]

Impressive build of racing history! Amazing detail!!

[89AKurt]

3 hours ago, cobraman said:

I like that model a lot !

Nice!  Even though it's not a Cobra?

2 hours ago, bbowser said:

Outstanding replica of a real piece of racing history!

Thank you!

53 minutes ago, slusher said:

Impressive build of racing history! Amazing detail!!

Thank you too!

[kermn8r]

That is outstanding.  It is interesting looking at the technology for the day.

[dimaxion]

A gem indeed . Beautiful and a Wowser , great build .. Thanx 

[Mattilacken]

Great build! And your efforts payed off! 

[ChrisR]

Looks awesome!

[Funkychiken]

Amazing built Kurt, well worth the effort you put in, loads of detail 

[89AKurt]

On 12/30/2020 at 10:47 PM, kermn8r said:

That is outstanding.  It is interesting looking at the technology for the day.

Appreciate the compliment!  It really helps to look at historic vehicles, gives appreciation for today's offerings.

On 12/31/2020 at 3:52 AM, dimaxion said:

A gem indeed . Beautiful and a Wowser , great build .. Thanx 

Thank you too!

12 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

Great build! And your efforts payed off! 

Aw shucks, thanks!

11 hours ago, ChrisR said:

Looks awesome!

Thank you too!  I'll get on the Cheetah sooner than later thanks to you.

45 minutes ago, Funkychiken said:

Amazing built Kurt, well worth the effort you put in, loads of detail 

Thank you.

Had my moments building this, amazed it came out as well.  No such thing as Box Stock with a kit like this.

[Bernard Kron]

Your and Fernando Pinto both deserve our appreciation. Pinto for tackling this sublime subject to this depth of detail in a hand built resin kit in the first place, and you for persevering in taking it in hand, warts and all, building it to your standards. It would be all too easy to criticize Fernando for the inevitable faults and quirks that must result from what is ultimately a kind of prototype model kit reflecting the limits of one man's vision and abilities. Despite all the frustrations you encountered as you were building it, you recognized the value of the very existence of a scale model kit of such a rare and iconic race car. The result is a model that probably will look better to you once you've put some time between your struggles and this fine replica. Thanks for the wonderful w.i.p. and ditto the fine result. All the best in 2021.

[TonyK]

So glad you went to such pains to build a great replica as I enjoyed looking at all your pictures. It is appreciated!

[Phildaupho]

Beautiful model beautifully built and beautifully presented. I remember seeing old newsreel footage of Rosemeyer driving this awesome car. I do have a 1/43 diecast of this car.

[Dave B]

Looks great Kurt, nice to see some pre war racers.

Dave B

[89AKurt]

On 1/2/2021 at 4:18 PM, Bernard Kron said:

Your and Fernando Pinto both deserve our appreciation. Pinto for tackling this sublime subject to this depth of detail in a hand built resin kit in the first place, and you for persevering in taking it in hand, warts and all, building it to your standards. It would be all too easy to criticize Fernando for the inevitable faults and quirks that must result from what is ultimately a kind of prototype model kit reflecting the limits of one man's vision and abilities. Despite all the frustrations you encountered as you were building it, you recognized the value of the very existence of a scale model kit of such a rare and iconic race car. The result is a model that probably will look better to you once you've put some time between your struggles and this fine replica. Thanks for the wonderful w.i.p. and ditto the fine result. All the best in 2021.

Thank you very much for the poetic praise.  Yes, I marvel that he could cast those parts to begin with, certainly an art.  The wire wheels are especially nice.  Once it was put in the display case, I forgot about the struggles.

On 1/3/2021 at 7:45 AM, TonyK said:

So glad you went to such pains to build a great replica as I enjoyed looking at all your pictures. It is appreciated!

Thank you!  Was it like watching bull riding at a rodeo?  ?

On 1/3/2021 at 12:01 PM, Phildaupho said:

Beautiful model beautifully built and beautifully presented. I remember seeing old newsreel footage of Rosemeyer driving this awesome car. I do have a 1/43 diecast of this car.

Appreciate it very much!  Newsreel, you're dating yourself.

20 hours ago, Dave B said:

Looks great Kurt, nice to see some pre war racers.

Dave B

Thanks!

[Bugatti Fan]

A really lovely model Kurt.       I think FPP Modelos might have made a kit of the Bugatti 251 some time ago.

I think that they supply made up wire wheel sets for modellers as well as the kits.

[Hi-Po]

Nicely done.  I like it.

[89AKurt]

3 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

A really lovely model Kurt.       I think FPP Modelos might have made a kit of the Bugatti 251 some time ago.

I think that they supply made up wire wheel sets for modellers as well as the kits.

Thank you.  He has made several subjects, very limited production.  He does sell just wheels.  If one does Fakebook, check out his page.

3 hours ago, Hi-Po said:

Nicely done.  I like it.

Thanks!

[Big John]

On 1/8/2021 at 9:37 AM, Bugatti Fan said:

A really lovely model Kurt.       I think FPP Modelos might have made a kit of the Bugatti 251 some time ago.

I think that they supply made up wire wheel sets for modellers as well as the kits.

Yes, Fernando does have a Bugatti 251.  I contacted him about wheels for a scratch built I was planning which he was glad to supply (also sold me a set of correct wheels and tiers  for a type 32 tank) the next thing I know he reissued the Bug 251on e-bay.  One of the things I like about the FPP kits is how he imbeds wire into his castings for axles or tie rods rather than trying to do them as cast them in resin.  He doesn't have one listed at this time but does have another Auto Union C and D types for sale.  Find him at crazycar19.

Edited January 20, 2021 by Big John

[Big John]

Wonderful work Kurt, I will definitely have to go look for your WIP!  I got to see this C type at the Laguna Seca historics a few years ago.  Quite a sound from that v16!

[89AKurt]

18 hours ago, Big John said:

Wonderful work Kurt, I will definitely have to go look for your WIP!  I got to see this C type at the Laguna Seca historics a few years ago.  Quite a sound from that v16!

Thank you.  The videos are pretty good to hear the sound, in person is the best.  I attended a Historics and Pebble Beach in the 1990s, amazing experience.

I look at eBay for his products on occasion.